A dream of architecture

 What do you get when you have a slightly unwelcome river going round your city - simple, divert it and turn the area into a green space.  We won’t be spending nearly enough time near it and, generally, I think we are short changing Valencia but on we go.



After a bit of wiggling we are going to the Museum of Fine Arts.  It open from 10am to 8pm every day save Mondays.  It a glorious space with some good art, a few Goya witch numbers to keep you going and a few non-binary angels.  https://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es/va/  I love, if for no other reason that seeing the boy’s godmother attempt to order tea in the cafe and end up with a glass of hot milk and a teabag.  




Almost 8500 people have reviewed the place and they are generally in favour.  Sorolaa is the key word and Velazquez comes in 4th.  Blanca liked it.   Unexpected experience!!

A truly extraordinary art gallery. We thought it would take an hour and a half, but it ended up taking three. We skipped the "blue" floors, featuring 19th and 20th-century Spanish painting, due to lack of time.


The information desk clerk who helped us explained the museum's contents in detail. Very attentive and knowledgeable about art.


Victor felt 'A satisfying visual experience with paintings from the Sorolla collection. Very friendly staff and free samples.'




On to the cathedral, which was built in 1238 by the first post-Muslim bishop.  It was built on the site of the previous Visigoth number and has lots of 15th century art.  The Baroque happened and they fitted on more statues and twiddly bits than a player of Sims who has money left over at the end of the month and really feels they need a golden loo.   It contains the Holy Grail, honest, it is to.  Pope Benedict XVI used in 2006.


This has to be the most reviewed place I have consulted.  29,000+ people give it 4.6 stars.  Jerry only gave three stars 33 minutes ago. ‘After visiting Murcia Cathedral and attending mass, I wondered if it was necessary to pay an entrance fee to enter the cathedral. I did not enter.’ 


18 hours ago Joey reckoned Worthwhile experience seeing the interior of Cathedral and learning its history. Audio guide was good, available in English, and easy to follow with instructions and numbered signs throughout. Seeing chalice offered nice finale. We also went up the tower, which provides good views of surrounding buildings. The tower can be done separate to cathedral, lasts 20 mins, and only accepts cash. While we were up the tower, the bell rang loudly, which caught us off guard, to say the least. Looking back, it seems funny.




On to a secular temple - the market.   If you thought the Cathedral was well reviewed - the market gets 4.7 stars from over 90,000 people.  Many of the reviews are off individual stalls.  The place is a joy and a wonder.  Georgine reckoned ‘A magnificent building. A dream of architecture. Fresh and good products.’   Graziano only gave four stars ‘Prices are a bit high but for those who love to taste the traditions of Spain it is highly recommended to try the paella and the churros’  I just remember the stall selling all you could need in the manner of paella pans and the means to deploy them.  Joyous.



We will end the day back by the river that isn’t there.  Too soon, too soon.

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